Because of its cultural and religious diversity, Sarajevo is sometimes called the “Jerusalem of Europe.” It is considered a “place where East meets West.”

As we walked around this beautiful city, it was fascinating to see a very defined Ottoman side and an Austro-Hungarian side. The city has even placed a marker, even though it is obvious just from the change in architecture. There is some stunning architecture in both.

Sarajevo has been inhabited since the Stone Age and later settled and ruled by the Romans and then the Slavic tribes. But the city of Sarajevo, as we know it today, was only founded in the 15th century, when Ottoman rule began.

The Ottoman era lasted for more than 400 years. The city grew and became one of the most advanced cities in Europe and the biggest and most important Ottoman city in the Balkans, second after Istanbul. During the Ottoman era, many Christians who lived in the area converted to Islam. There was still a Christian population in the city, as well as the Orthodox. In the 16th century, the Jews settled there, and thus Sarajevo became the city of four religions. And it has preserved that identity to this day.

In 1878 the Austro-Hungarian Empire occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina and took over the city of Sarajevo. The Austro-Hungarian rule left a significant mark on the city. Due to Westernization, many important buildings were built, the tramway was introduced in 1885 and the city expanded outside its historical Ottoman borders. The city’s development stopped in 1914 when the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand took place in Sarajevo a catalyst to the start of WWI. After WWI, Sarajevo became part of The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Sarajevo became the capital of the Republic of Bosnia, one of the Yugoslav republics. General Tito died in 1980 and by 1991 Yugoslavia had disintegrated. During the 1990’s war, Sarajevo was severely damaged. The long siege of Sarajevo ended in 1996. Only then did Bosnia and Herzegovina finally become an independent country.

It is a beautiful fascinating country and we have fallen in love with Sarajevo.

Ottoman era from 1461 

Austro-Hungarian from 1878 expanding the city.

On our side of the river where we were staying (opposite the old town and centre) if we walked down towards the old town, there was a real mix of both eras. We saw mosques, Austro-Hungarian buildings and then some that were a mix. Austro-Hungarian but note the typical striped buildings something you often see in Islamic buildings.

All of these are found in the same neighbourhood.